1
as in intentionally
with full awareness of what one is doing
he purposefully chose the more difficult route to the mountain summit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hard
with great effort or determination
strode purposefully into the boss's office, determined to ask for a raise
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of purposefully
One of those blew up on its landing attempt while another was purposefully expended to get its payload to a higher orbital insertion.
—
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Valentino Cash Amil, 30, was accused of purposefully using his 2024 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan to strike Dannielle Spillman, 74, outside a gas station on April 13.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
When public outcry over the Wuhan lab and gain-of-function research increased, the indictment claims that Morens and co-conspirators purposefully moved government communications to private emails in order to hide them from the public.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Bain walked purposefully, never slowing, never stopping — not even to size himself up in his new Bucs hat in the mirror — before striding onstage for a hug with the commissioner.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, creators will purposefully place a shocking item in the frame to stir up engagement.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
The simulated winds, which in a recent test purposefully fluctuated between 30 and 55 mph (50 to 90 kph), continually pushed the flames toward the home.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
But where many single-color canvases from the era were characterized by the smooth, even application of paint, Hayward purposefully left his materials chunky and thick.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
The number of the flowers was purposefully chosen to represent the effects of urban heating.
—Alyssa Andrews, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Valentino Cash Amil, 30, was accused of purposefully using his 2024 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan to strike Dannielle Spillman, 74, outside a gas station on April 13.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
When public outcry over the Wuhan lab and gain-of-function research increased, the indictment claims that Morens and co-conspirators purposefully moved government communications to private emails in order to hide them from the public.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Bain walked purposefully, never slowing, never stopping — not even to size himself up in his new Bucs hat in the mirror — before striding onstage for a hug with the commissioner.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, creators will purposefully place a shocking item in the frame to stir up engagement.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
The simulated winds, which in a recent test purposefully fluctuated between 30 and 55 mph (50 to 90 kph), continually pushed the flames toward the home.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
But where many single-color canvases from the era were characterized by the smooth, even application of paint, Hayward purposefully left his materials chunky and thick.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
The number of the flowers was purposefully chosen to represent the effects of urban heating.
—Alyssa Andrews, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purposefully
Adverb
-
Colorado is the only state in the country where someone who kills due to extreme recklessness receives the same sentence — life without parole — as someone who kills intentionally and after deliberation.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Both sides accuse the other of intentionally attacking civilian targets.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Aerate compacted and hard-to-wet lawns.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
King Charles' younger sister is known for her tireless drive for royal duty, often ranked among the royal family's hardest-working members by count of official engagements recorded in The Court Circular.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Given the importance of preserving relations with the FCC, which has a say over a range of local station matters and must approve any mergers involving the transfer of broadcast licenses, LeGeyt has deliberately avoided a direct clash with his Washington counterpart.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
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The idea of food apartheid forces us to zoom out and consider how many systems are deliberately built to work against certain consumers based on race and geography.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Artemis’ crew trained intensively with geologists and other scientists to be on the lookout for more prospective landing sites for future missions, craters and just interesting events or features.—
Jennifer Levasseur,
The Conversation,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The lower mowing ranges are commonly used for recreational turf areas that are more intensively managed.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Are companies purposely purchasing broadcast time so that their commercials are repeated like that?—
Rich Heldenfels,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Pitchers like Jimmy Herget, Chase Dollander and Senzatela have been purposely scheduled for multiple innings, with the hope that late-game relievers won’t be toast in August.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Shop diligently online for those accounts with the best rates and terms, but act promptly to lock one in when ultimately found.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
One company has been diligently working on something like that and claims to be inching ever closer.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The result is intensely moving.—
Madeleine Janz,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
-
On land, Stellers are intensely social.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
That means focusing more intently on new kinds of attributes.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
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But amid the chaos, the camera is focused intently on Robby’s face.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purposefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purposefully. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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